Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits he is on an "amazing whirlwind" journey from Dagenham to the Euros.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, was playing against Dagenham and Redbridge on a Tuesday night little over 12 months before his full England debut at Wembley on Saturday.

It has been a remarkable road for the Arsenal starlet and his Euros call-up was so unexpected he had already booked to go on holiday to Marbella with pals, leaving last Friday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain insists he would never take anything for granted but the former Southampton trainee will certainly not be daunted or overawed by his big chance.

Listen and learn: Hodgson talks about Croydon's first colour TV with a nice young man (Image: Michael Regan / Getty)

England star Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "It has been a whirlwind, How quickly it has gone. I remember playing in games for Southampton like Dagenham and Redbridge away, on a cold Tuesday.

"I am grateful for these experiences because you have to work in those environments and it makes you strive to want to play in places like this, playing for your country.

"It has been a mad 12 months - it has gone so quickly. Everything I have learned in these 12 months, I hope it pushes me on for next season and it will be a massive season for me with Arsenal and England

"I was in Portugal this time last year. There was hype about me going to Arsenal and I got spotted a few times out there - I was recognised. From then to this summer.

"I had booked a holiday for Marbella which was Friday. All my friends have gone out but I cancelled that one. But I have enjoyed every minute of it.

"I went home the other day to see my friends in Southsea, we drove past the pub where we watched the England v Germany game when [Frank] Lampard scored the goal which was disallowed.

"I was sat with my best friend. He said: 'it is unbelievable how two years ago we were in there watching it and now next tournament, you are with all the boys'.

"This puts stuff into perspective. It has been an amazing journey. I want to now work hard and make my future bright."

Oxlade-Chamberlain swapped Southampton for Arsenal last summer in a £12m move and the teenager had to be patient before getting his chance at the Emirates.

But Oxlade-Chamberlain's elevation has been rapid and his first start for the senior England side - a week after a substitute appearance in Norway - has now given him hope that he may start the Euros.

Every major tournament always seems to throw up one wildcard and Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Euro 2012 could be his turn. And one thing he will not be lacking is confidence.

"It was a bit of a shock to be told I was starting," said Oxlade-Chamberlain. "But you have to remember I was one of the players put in the initial squad. I am here to do that. I have to be able to step up and perform when the manager wants me.

"I wanted to try and prove something. There is a lot more to come from me. I definitely feel I can make an impact at the Euros. If you don't think that you won't go far.

"You have to believe in yourself. If you don't, no-else will. To get the call, to come into the England squad, you have to believe the manager has faith in your ability and I believe in myself.

"One step at a time. I keep learning every day in training as I am with great players. If I get a chance again I will do everything I can to impress.

"This is football. This is what I do every day. I train and I play. It is about stepping up on the biggest occasions, playing in games for your country you have to take it in your stride and I think I did."

England boss Roy Hodgson admits that he has high hopes for Oxlade-Chamberlain because he has the ability to provide some X-factor for his team.

Hodgson gave him licence to experiment against Belgium and believes he can play a major part for England at the Euros.

Hodgson said: "Our message to the players has been that they have to be brave and show some courage. They have to try it on. If it doesn't work, we will take the responsibility.

"We would rather they take it on, than turn back and play the ball back again because you are worried that if you try and go by the guy and lose the ball everyone is going to criticise you.

"He took that message very much on board. With a stricter or a kinder referee he might have got a few free-kicks for some of the times when he lost the ball."

Oxlade-Chamberlain also insists he will not be intimidated at the Euros and says the whole of the England squad have given him invaluable support.

He added: "A few of the lads, Stevie G, Scott Parker, the experienced boys, had a word with me before the game. They said: 'go and enjoy it.' When someone says that you do realise it is a game of football.

Ambition: Oxlade-Chamberlain fancies his chances of making an impact at the Euros (Image: Alex Livesey)

"I have been playing for a number of years, since I was seven with a professional club and you are tuned to perform in moments like this. If you go out and relax, it comes to you.

"If you don't believe you should be there you will struggle. At first it is daunting to see and train with my heroes growing up. But you soon come around and realise they are human beings and here to do a job.

"They are all top lads, all friendly boys and we are all there to play football for our country. I have some good friends already from table tennis and the other stuff we have done."